Sustainability commission elects Barrett chair, Alexander vice chair; staff outlines onboarding and summit

The Palm Springs Sustainability Commission on July 21 confirmed Barrett as its new chair and Ken Alexander as vice chair by unanimous consent, then turned to staff updates about resignations, onboarding and upcoming events.

Staff told commissioners that Michael Frick and another commissioner have resigned and that those resignations must be formally accepted by the City Council (staff said the council is scheduled to consider them on Aug. 26). Staff also described required onboarding steps and several mandatory trainings and asked new commissioners to complete them before the commission reconvenes in September.

“This is a formal process,” the staff member said, urging commissioners to file the required paperwork through the city clerk’s office rather than by email.

The director’s report noted that registration is open for an Extreme Heat Summit on Sept. 18 at the Convention Center (8 a.m.–5 p.m.). Staff said the summit will help launch public engagement on the city’s comprehensive heat- and shade-mitigation plan and asked commissioners to consider volunteering for outreach or a registration table.

Staff also flagged vacancies on the Desert Community Energy Community Advisory Committee and said the committee’s term is two years; staff added that DCE provides 100% clean energy service to Palm Springs residents. Follow-up materials and sign-up guidance will be circulated by email.

Staff asked commissioners to review an Excel tracking sheet that summarizes goals from the city’s 2016 Sustainability Plan and the 2021 Climate Action Roadmap and said a more detailed progress discussion is planned for the September meeting. The commission did not take formal action on any of the items at Tuesday’s meeting.

The meeting adjourned with staff reminding commissioners the commission will be dark in August and reconvene in September, when members will revisit subcommittee memberships and outstanding items.